Thrift Shop Consignment Arrangements
A number of charities in Canada operate “thrift stores”, loosely defined as not-for-profit stores selling low-cost clothing or other items with the aim of providing affordable shopping alternatives to those in need. Inventory is often composed of donated previously used...
International Organizations Should Consider CIDA Funding
It may surprise international organizations to learn that the Canadian International Development Agency (“CIDA”) does not limit its funding to Canadian organizations. International organizations engaged in development work worldwide may be eligible for CIDA funding for their work abroad. CIDA’s...
Finance Committee Extends Time for Bill C-470 Report
One of the most anticipated Commons Finance Committee hearings in many years – those dealing with Bill C-470 – has been put off to allow for more hearing time and presumably more witnesses. Bill C-470 is the private member’s bill...
The Tax Shelter Business: Big Rewards, Now Bigger Risks
Tax shelters have been around for a long time. The developers and marketers of these arrangements do extremely well. For years, CRA has been trying to shut down the more undesirable tax shelter arrangements. Who doesn’t know someone that has...
Clergy Residence Deduction Denied
The CRA was recently asked to comment on whether an Executive Director of a charity was entitled to claim the clergy residence deduction made available in the Income Tax Act. In order to be eligible to claim the clergy residence...
Ignorance of Receipting Rules Is No Excuse
A recent Federal Court decision serves as a reminder that ignorance of the law is no excuse and that receipting fraud can have consequences to the all of the individuals involved. In this case, the Canada Revenue Agency denied a...
Rotation of Directors: Ounce of Prevention, Pound of Cure
Many organizations find it useful to provide for a rotational board, that is, a board on which a specified fraction of the directors is elected at each Annual Meeting, for a term of multiple years. For example, half are elected...
CRA Confirms Strict Interpretation of NPO Tax Exemption
On June 25, 2010, CRA released a follow-up technical interpretation to an interpretation released in December of 2009 addressing whether a condominium corporation could qualify as a non-profit organization when using surplus income to reduce members’ fees or to fund...
Canadian Government to Match Donations by Individuals to Pakistan
The recent devastating flooding in Pakistan has left millions in need of emergency assistance. In addition to the physical toll left by the worst flooding the country has witnessed in the last 80 years, there is a real urgency of...
New Charity Specific Graduate Degree
Osgoode Hall Law School at York University has launched a new part time Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree specializing in Charities and Not-for-Profit Law. This degree, which we believe to be the first law degree of its kind anywhere in...
